The Remains of the Day

"I have dedicated myself to the pursuit of perfection in my profession."

"Such feelings are perhaps not compatible with a butler's role."

"One simply carries on with one's duties."

"I have perhaps been over-cautious in my restraint."

"The true measure of a butler is his ability to remain composed."

"I don't believe I ever had much of a talent for improvisation."

"Miss Kenton and I conducted our professional relationship with great propriety."

"One cannot be forever looking back to the past."

"I have long considered myself to have little interest in such matters."

"There's nothing to be done about it."

"It is hardly likely that I will ever find myself in that position again."

"I hope I am not too old to begin a new chapter."

"I have lived my life on the assumption that the professional duty comes first."

"I can't even say I made my own mistakes, really."

"The great houses of England are the backbone of our civilization."

"One doesn't establish a personal relationship with a car."

"What could I possibly hope to achieve by venturing to such a place?"

"I have been content to remain in my place."

"Dignity is not some ornament that can be applied or removed as one sees fit."

"I can't even say I made my own mistakes. Really - one has to ask oneself - what dignity is there in that?"

"It was not such a long journey after all."

"Perhaps what I should have said was that I hope, in the end, the history of my life will be seen as having been justified."

"I have always been drawn to those who know their place."

"The task of a butler is not to offer his own opinions, but rather to provide a suitable mirror."

"One must be able to say, at the end of one's life, 'I have never wasted my energies on pursuits I considered to be worthless.'"

"Surely it is not improper for a butler to indulge in a little conjecture."

"I trusted. I followed his lead because I trusted."

"What is pertinent is the calmness of that beauty, its sense of restraint."

"I can't even say I made my own mistakes. Really - one has to ask oneself - what dignity is there in that?"

"Dignity is something one acquires through dedication to one's calling."